Cane-type plant chemical dispenser

Abstract

Apparatus for selectively applying a liquid plant chemical such as a herbicide to a plant includes a hollow tubular reservoir, an integrated funnel handle at the upper end of the reservoir, and an applicator tip at the lower end of the reservoir. The applicator tip includes a valve and a wick that allows the chemical to be dispensed in a controlled manner onto a specific plant, avoiding chemical drift. A protective cap fits over the applicator tip during storage, while retainer tabs keep the protective cap from squeezing the wick. The retainer tabs may be sharp enough to prick the plant to place the chemical internally.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for selectively applying a liquid plant chemical to a plant, comprising:
 a hollow tubular reservoir having upper and lower ends and a reservoir diameter; 
 a handle disposed at the upper end of the reservoir; 
 a reservoir cap disposed at the top of the handle, whereby the reservoir may be opened for the insertion of the plant chemical into the reservoir and closed; 
 an applicator tip disposed at the lower end of the reservoir, the applicator tip comprising a normally closed pressure-sensitive valve, a wick, and a plurality of protective cap retainer tabs extending about the wick for defining and maintaining an offset between the wick and the protective cap to prevent unintended compression of the wick when the protective cap is applied to the applicator tip; and 
 a protective cap adapted to cover the applicator tip during periods of non-use; 
 wherein the applicator tip is placed against the plant to actuate the valve to dispense the plant chemical onto the wick for selective transfer to the plant; and 
 wherein each of the protective cap retainer tabs is provided with a sharp piercing tip to pierce the plant to apply the plant chemical internally thereto. 
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a funnel handle disposed at the upper end of the reservoir, the funnel handle being integrated with the reservoir and flared between a lower diameter equal to the reservoir diameter and a substantially wider upper diameter, to facilitate spill-free insertion of the plant chemical into the reservoir. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a hanging ring disposed upon the reservoir cap to facilitate storage of the apparatus on a hook. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the protective cap and the reservoir cap are dimensioned to permit placement of the protective cap upon the reservoir cap to cover the hanging ring and to facilitate retention of the protective cap during use. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plant chemical is a herbicide. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plant chemical is a fertilizer. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plant chemical is a pesticide. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow tubular reservoir is dimensioned to allow application of the plant chemical by a person holding the handle to a ground-based plant without necessity of stooping. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve is held in its normally closed position by the weight of the plant chemical disposed thereagainst. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve is biased into a normally closed position by action of a spring. 
     
     
       11. In a cane-type selective plant chemical applicator comprising a hollow-tube reservoir having upper and lower ends and a reservoir diameter, a handle disposed at the upper end, and an applicator tip disposed at the lower end and having a pressure-sensitive valve and a wick for contacting a plant to dispense a plant chemical thereto, the improvement comprising:
 the provision and constitution of the handle as a funnel handle integrated with the reservoir and flared between a lower diameter equal to the reservoir diameter and a substantially wider upper diameter, to facilitate spill-free insertion of the plant chemical into the reservoir; and 
 a plurality of protective cap retainer tabs extending about the wick for defining and maintaining an offset between the wick and a protective cap therefor, to prevent unintended compression of the wick when the protective cap is applied to the applicator tip; 
 wherein at least one of the protective cap retainer tabs is provided with a sharp piercing tip to pierce the plant to apply the plant chemical internally thereto.